A kitchen with open shelving recently remodeled by House Lift, Inc. the Twin Cities.

When Is Open Shelving the Right Design Choice?

Open shelving is seen by some as a passing trend. A way of storing your things to match your new open concept but not an ongoing viable way to keep your house in order. Some may see it that way, but we do not. We believe that open shelving can be an excellent way to both showcase and store, making it an excellent design choice for your home. Here we will discuss when we feel it is best to utilize open shelving and how it can help your home makeover. Open Shelving Adds a Breezy Feel to Your Interior The visual impact of open shelving to your space can be easily understated until you see it for yourself. What sounds like a simple change becomes one of the more important visual aspects of your home. When you make the design choice to switch to open shelving, you are truly taking advantage of your space. You are giving your walls the chance to breathe, which allows the color palette and lighting to stretch out across the space. This evokes the feeling you were hoping to get when you made those choices and now — with open shelving — you can be...
A recently renovated home in Minneapolis, Minnesota features interior and exterior french doors allowing natural light to flood the room.

The Aesthetic Benefits of French Doors

Interior and exterior French doors have become a popular staple in home design over the years and they are easily recognizable by their rectangular window frames that extend down the door’s length. French doors made their first appearance in architecture in the 17th century and as France’s Baroque period flourished, so did the exploration of new artistic and architectural styles. Back then, French doors were really just full-length windows that led onto balconies. They were later modified into operable doors, which allowed access to the balconies while letting in plenty of natural light. Their versatility and beauty makes them an ideal choice for patios and more.  Thinking of adding an interior or exterior french door to your home? Read on as we discuss a few reasons why you should make them a part of your dream home makeover. French Doors Provide Functionality French doors were originally created to make small balconies accessible, but today, they aren’t only used for exterior purposes. Interior french doors can be used to connect rooms in your home and enhance the visual flair of your space. They can make rooms feel and look more spacious when opened up and create a cozy, comfortable space when...
A kitchen with natural light recently renovated by House Lift Inc of the Twin Cities.

Getting the Most Out of Your Home’s Natural Light

If you own a home, learning how to increase its natural light is likely on your wishlist. A home flooded with natural light is welcoming and makes us feel rejuvenated. Exposure to daylight has been linked to better moods and overall well-being. Increasing the natural light in a room makes colors more vibrant and décor more eye-catching. For many people, natural light is a “must-have” feature in a home, followed by a large garden and an open-plan kitchen or dining room.  Poor natural lighting is often a reason why homeowners feel unhappy with their home’s appearance. Homebuyers also tend to find brighter homes more appealing than darker ones. When it comes to home design, we are always thinking of ways to boost natural light. If you are considering a dream home makeover, read on for the best ways to add more light. Update Your Flooring You’d be surprised how much of an impact the right flooring can have on your home’s natural light. Flooring can be transformed into light-friendly reflectors by choosing wood, ceramic or stone with a polished finish. Light wood floors, especially whitewash wood floors, have been around for centuries. Home renovation companies often suggest wood flooring because...
An image of an architectural blue print for House Lift blog "From Idea to Breaking Ground - Steps to Remodeling Your Home"

From Idea to Breaking Ground – Steps to Remodeling Your Home

Remodeling is a great way to invest in your home. Remodeling projects not only add property value, they can help you find greater enjoyment and better use of your space. The popularity of home improvement programming shows that many people daydream about how they’d upgrade their houses, and the renovation and remodeling industry continues to grow. When homeowners get inspired to change things up in their home, they can quickly become overwhelmed by the logistics of the project. With the right planning, pacing and professional support, remodeling can be much easier to navigate than one would expect. House Lift has provided remodeling and renovation services for more than 30 years. Keep reading to learn about the steps you can take for a smooth remodeling project, from idea to breaking ground.  1. Organize Your Inspiration Before you start sizing up your space, vetting contractors or pricing materials, it’s important to know what you want. Assess which rooms and areas of your home you’re interested in remodeling. Start by listing what you love about each existing space and what you’d like to change. This will help you prioritize your goals for your home renovation. Next, find style inspiration to inform your remodeling...